Revelation, 22 June 1834 [D&C
105]

may be
prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have
experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty and the things
which I require at their hands. And this cannot be brought to pass until
mine elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

are endowed with power from on high; for, behold, I
have prepared a greater
endowment

Bestowal of spiritual blessings, power, or knowledge. Beginning in 1831, multiple revelations promised an endowment of “power from on high” in association with the command to gather. Some believed this promise was fulfilled when individuals were first ordained...

and blessing to be boured poured out
upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful, and
, continue in humility before me. Therefore, it is
expedient in me that mine elders should wait
a little season for the
redemption
of Zion

A group of approximately 205 men and about 20 women and children led by JS to Missouri, May–July 1834, to redeem Zion by helping the Saints who had been driven from Jackson County, Missouri, regain their lands; later referred to as “Zion’s Camp.” A 24 February...

; for behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the
battles of Zion; for as I have said in a former
commandment, even so I will fulfil: I will fight your
battles. Behold, the destroyer I have already
sent forth to
destroy and lay waste mine enemies, and not many years hence they shall
not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to blaspheme my name upon the
lands which I have
consecrated

The dedicating of money, lands, goods, or one’s own life for sacred purposes. Both the New Testament and Book of Mormon referred to some groups having “all things common” economically; the Book of Mormon also referred to individuals who consecrated or dedicated...

As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...

Generally, a divine mandate that church members were expected to obey; more specifically, a text dictated by JS in the first-person voice of Deity that served to communicate knowledge and instruction to JS and his followers. Occasionally, other inspired texts...

my servant
Joseph to say to the strength of my house,
even my warriors, my young men and middleaged, to gether together for the
redemption of my people, and throw down the towers of mine enemies, and
scatter their watchmen; but the strength of mine house has not hearkened
unto my words: but inasmuch as there are those that have hearkened
unto my word I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them I have
heard their prayers, and will accept their offering. And it is expedient
in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith.

And now, verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto
you, that as many as have come up hither that can stay in the regions
round about, let them stay, and those who cannot stay,
who
have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, inasmuch as
my servant
Joseph shall appoint unto them; for I will
counsel him concerning this matter, and all things whatsoever he shall
appoint unto them, shall be fulfilled. And let all may
my people who dwell in the regions round
about be very faithful, and prayerful, and humble before me, and reveal
[p. 98]

may be
prepared, and that my people may be taught more perfectly, and have
experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty and the things
which I require at their hands. And this cannot be brought to pass until
mine elders

A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...

are endowed with power from on high; for, behold, I
have prepared a greater
endowment

Bestowal of spiritual blessings, power, or knowledge. Beginning in 1831, multiple revelations promised an endowment of “power from on high” in association with the command to gather. Some believed this promise was fulfilled when individuals were first ordained...

and blessing to be boured [poured] out
upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful, and
contrite, <continue> in humility before me. Therefore, it is
expedient in me that mine elders should wait
<for>
a little season for the
redemption
of Zion

A group of approximately 205 men and about 20 women and children led by JS to Missouri, May–July 1834, to redeem Zion by helping the Saints who had been driven from Jackson County, Missouri, regain their lands; later referred to as “Zion’s Camp.” A 24 February...

; for behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the
battles of Zion; for as I have said in a former
commandment, even so I will fulfil: I will fight your
battles. Behold, the destroyer I have <already>
sent forth to lay waste and
destroy and lay waste mine enemies, and not many years hence they shall
not be left to pollute mine heritage, and to blaspheme my name upon the
lands which I have
consecrated

The dedicating of money, lands, goods, or one’s own life for sacred purposes. Both the New Testament and Book of Mormon referred to some groups having “all things common” economically; the Book of Mormon also referred to individuals who consecrated or dedicated...

As directed by early revelations, church members “gathered” in communities. A revelation dated September 1830, for instance, instructed elders “to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect” who would “be gathered in unto one place, upon the face of this land...

Generally, a divine mandate that church members were expected to obey; more specifically, a text dictated by JS in the first-person voice of Deity that served to communicate knowledge and instruction to JS and his followers. Occasionally, other inspired texts...

my servant
Joseph to say to the strength of my house,
even my warriors, my young men and middleaged, to gether together for the
redemption of my people, and throw down the towers of mine enemies, and
scatter their watchmen; but the strength of mine house has not hearkened
unto my words: but inasmuch as there are those that have hearkened
unto my word I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them I have
heard their prayers, and will accept their offering. And it is expedient
in me that they should be brought thus far for a trial of their faith.

And now, verily I say unto you, a commandment I give unto
you, that as many as have come up hither that can stay in the regions
round about, let them stay, and those who cannot stay, <who>for a little season who
have families in the east, let them tarry for a little season, inasmuch as
my servant
Joseph shall appoint unto them; for I will
counsel him concerning this matter, and all things whatsoever he shall
appoint unto them, shall be fulfilled. And let all may
[my] people who dwell in the regions round
about be very faithful, and prayerful, and humble before me, and reveal
[p. 98]

Consists of two forks, Big Fishing River and Little Fishing River, which conjoin near Excelsior Springs, Missouri. River then flows southeasterly through Clay and Ray counties. River provided water power for Clay County. Early settlers in area lived along...

3 Oct. 1806–3 Mar. 1850. Clerk, teacher, justice of the peace, lawyer, newspaper editor. Born at Wells, Rutland Co., Vermont. Son of William Cowdery and Rebecca Fuller. Raised Congregationalist. Moved to western New York and clerked at a store, ca. 1825–1828...